What's the deal with "Needhams"?

So I was in Maine last week, and saw a confection for sale on the grocery store counter. It was in a cute, old-style waxed paper bag, blue and white, and said "Lew Rod's Original Needham". I took the plunge and bought one. It was on the order of a Mounds bar, but the filling was chalkier and much more sweet.

Just wondered if anyone can tell me more about this candy.

This website tells the story of it: http://www.vermontcountrystore.com/prdSell_1.asp?ProdGroupID=19644&sourceid=sinceptor&flgCookiesEnabled=TRUE

and here is the recipe:

NEEDHAM'S MAINE POTATO CANDY

2/3 cup mashed potatoes (with no butter or salt)
2 pounds confectioners sugar
1 large package coconut

Mix all and spread onto jelly roll pan. chill. cut into cubes about 2" square.

Melt 1 large package semi sweet or dark chocolate chips with 1/3 bar baker's wax
(paraffin).

Dip cubes into chocolate and set out on wax paper. Chill.

As both a native New Englander and offspring
to candy makers in that part of the world, two additional points here.
If you want your Needhams to look like this...



...you'll need a double boiler.
In addition, and while some less-then-Puritanical New Englanders ()
add peppermint to their Needhams, it is pretty standard to add either two
teaspoonfuls of vanilla or almond extract to the mix.
Yum.

FYI.